In this episode of Renewing Homes, I explore the lessons from the CHBA’s Towards Net-Zero Renovation Initiative, a multi-year effort to demonstrate what is possible when building science, planning, and skilled teams come together to tackle residential retrofits.

The initiative brought together builders, energy advisors, designers, and other industry professionals to develop and implement deep energy renovations across existing homes. But the goal was about more than achieving a particular energy target. It was also about understanding the barriers to retrofits and developing a practical roadmap that could help homeowners and industry professionals make better decisions over the life of a home.

We discuss the importance of building science, the challenges of scaling deep retrofits, the role of asset management and long-term planning, and why effective retrofit projects depend on coordinated teams. We also look at how the experience of the initiative could help shift the conversation around energy efficiency and inform the next generation of residential retrofit programs.

• Building science provides an essential foundation for effective deep-energy retrofits.
• A long-term roadmap can help homeowners prioritize retrofit decisions rather than approaching improvements one project at a time.
• Successful retrofits need to consider the home, the occupants, and the long-term management of the asset.
• Workforce capacity, cost, complexity, and homeowner decision-making remain significant barriers to scaling retrofits.
• Coordinated teams bring together the different expertise needed to deliver successful renovation projects.
• Demonstration projects can provide valuable lessons for improving retrofit practice and developing better approaches at scale.
• Reaching net zero is not just a technical challenge—it also requires better planning, communication, and decision-making.

00:00 Introduction to Net Zero Renovations

03:56 The Importance of Building Science

11:36 Goals of the Net Zero Initiative

17:38 Barriers to Retrofits

25:35 Developing the Roadmap to Net Zero

32:05 Shifting the Conversation on Energy Efficiency

37:09 Understanding Asset Management in Home Renovations

43:37 The Role of Teams in Effective Renovation Projects

53:35 Future Directions for Net Zero Renovations

CHBA Net Zero Renovation Program
https://www.chba.ca/about-the-net-zero-renovation-program/

Building Knowledge Canada

https://www.buildingknowledge.ca/

CHBA Advanced Building Science Course https://hub.chba.ca/ap/Events/Register/eZF8XbmsYCWCq

In this episode of Renewing Homes, I’m joined by Nathan Horton of One Click Energy Solutions and Jason Rowley of BC Hydro to explore one of the biggest barriers to residential electrification: electrical service capacity.

As more homeowners look to install heat pumps, EV chargers, and other electric technologies, many are told they need costly electrical service upgrades before they can move forward. But is that always the case?

Nathan and Jason explain how energy management systems (EMS), evolving electrical codes, and better planning are changing what's possible. We discuss the practical realities of electrifying existing homes, lessons learned from Ontario's experience, and how collaboration between contractors, utilities, regulators, and policymakers can make electrification more accessible and affordable.

Whether you're a contractor, designer, energy advisor, utility professional, or homeowner, this conversation offers practical insights into removing barriers and accelerating residential retrofits.

• Residential electrification is about more than switching fuels—it’s about improving how homes perform.
• Electrical service upgrades aren't always necessary when energy management systems are used effectively.
• Modern load management can help reduce project costs while supporting broader electrification goals.
• Codes and standards continue to evolve alongside new technologies and industry experience.
• Collaboration between contractors, utilities, regulators, and manufacturers is essential to accelerating adoption.
• Education and familiarity with emerging technologies will help make electrification more practical and accessible.

00:00 Introduction

02:29 Electrification and retrofit basics

04:20 Barriers to electrifying homes

11:48 Smart panels, standards, and code

16:58 Right-sizing electrical service

22:11 Affordable housing case study

25:45 What contractors need to know

37:07 Navigating variances and approvals

41:56 Education and the road ahead

One Click Energy Solutions - https://1clickenergy.com/

BC Hydro - https://www.bchydro.com/

Passive House Alberta Electrification Without a Service Upgrade Report - https://www.passivehousecanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20231026-Electrification-without-a-service-upgrade-report.pdf

In this episode of Renewing Homes, I sit down with Peter Darlington of Solar Homes and Cooper Le of 4 Elements to explore Peter's journey from stucco contractor to one of Canada's leading residential retrofit specialists.

What began as curiosity about net zero homes led Peter to undertake one of Canada's first CHBA Net Zero labelled renovations on his own home… Several years before the label even existed! That experience transformed his business and continues to shape how he approaches residential retrofits today.

Our conversation explores the importance of planning, building science, and collaboration in delivering successful retrofits. We discuss homeowner motivations, the comfort and health benefits of high-performance homes, lessons learned from over a decade of living with a cold-climate heat pump, and the opportunities and challenges of scaling quality retrofit work across the industry.

Whether you're a homeowner, contractor, designer, energy advisor, or policymaker, this episode offers practical insights into what it takes to deliver better retrofit outcomes.

• Curiosity and continuous learning can transform both careers and businesses.
• Deep energy retrofits require thoughtful planning and collaboration long before construction begins.
• Comfort, health, and resilience are often stronger homeowner motivators than energy savings alone.
• Living with a cold-climate heat pump for over a decade provides valuable real-world performance insights.
• Successful retrofits balance technical performance, durability, practicality, and cost.
• Scaling residential retrofits depends on simplifying good building science and improving industry capability.
• Every home is different, making thoughtful planning essential to achieving the best outcomes.

00:18 Introduction to Sustainable Building Practices

01:52 Peter's Journey to Net Zero Retrofits

08:23 Collaboration with Four Elements

13:23 The Comfort and Health Benefits of Net Zero Homes

19:56 Cost Considerations in Home Retrofits

24:12 The Impact of Hail on Building Retrofits

25:50 Planning for Effective Retrofits

29:02 The Evolution of Building Practices

31:16 Challenges in New Builds and Hail Damage

32:54 Scalability in Retrofit Projects

33:52 Recognizing Value in Energy Efficiency

36:21 Heat Pump Performance in a 2015 Retrofit

37:18 Experiences with Heat Pumps

40:23 Lessons Learned from Home Retrofits

44:51 Simplifying Building Science for Better Outcomes

Solar Homes - https://www.solarhomesinc.com/

4 Elements - https://www.4elements.eco/

Original Green Energy Futures feature on Peter Darlington's net zero home:
https://greenenergyfutures.ca/episode/178-renovating-your-home-to-net-zero

Nate Adams' Heat Pump Climate Tool:
https://www.natethehousewhisperer.com/how-much-of-the-year-will-a-heat-pump-work-in-my-city.html